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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

creamy marry me chicken tortellini - featured image

A rich and comforting creamy chicken tortellini dish with a tangy sun-dried tomato sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners that impress without the stress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced thin
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 9 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, roughly chopped (do not drain oil completely)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • A handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Extra grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 9 ounces of cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions (about 3-5 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water.
  2. Season sliced chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté until cooked through and golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and roughly chopped sun-dried tomatoes with oil. Stir frequently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Let sauce reduce slightly for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
  6. Return cooked chicken to skillet, add cooked tortellini, and toss gently to coat in sauce. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in chopped fresh basil leaves.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and black pepper.

Notes

Use fresh basil for best flavor; dried basil can be substituted. For gluten-free, swap tortellini with gluten-free pasta or gnocchi. For dairy-free, use coconut cream and plant-based Parmesan. Do not rush sauce reduction to meld flavors. Sear chicken separately for best texture. Use sun-dried tomato oil for richer sauce. Add veggies like spinach or kale for extra nutrition.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken tortellini, sun-dried tomato sauce, easy dinner, comfort food, quick chicken pasta, weeknight meal